Tributes to former Visiter writer Nancé

THE humour, kindness and reporting skills of a former Southport Visiter journalist have been remembered after her death aged 80.

Tributes to Nancé Greaves – best known as Nancé Cookson during a writing career spanning many years – have told of the professionalism and lightness of touch she brought to her work.

Nancé spent her entire career at our Tulketh Street offices after signing up as a cub reporter aged 17.

While she excelled as a court correspondent, her writing tackled all aspects of Southport life – not least in her long-running column ‘Out And About With Nancé’.

Alan Pinch, who was editor of the Southport Visiter for 12 years before 1985, described Nancé as “a fine reporter”.

He said: “She was never caustic when interviewing people and always had a sense of fun about her.

“She had a delightful sense of humour which made it easier for her to deal with people, even in difficult situations like court work.”

Nancé was born Ann Jane Halsall in Southport, the daughter of Frances – who died aged only 28 – and Joe.

Her childhood was spent in the same home in St Luke’s Road she shared with her second husband, Alan Greaves, until her death on January 18.

Alan said his wife had been intensely proud of her father, who received the MBE in recognition of his role in the electrification of the Southport to Liverpool railway.

Nancé was described by Alan, 71, who once ran a greengrocers in Churchtown, as “a very loving and kind person”.

“If anybody wanted any favours she was there first, she would help anybody and everybody,” he said.

Nancé’s first husband, Rex Cookson, had been Southport’s youngest prisoner of war during World War Two, when he was captured at El Alamein.

After Rex’s early death Nancé married Alan in 1973.

She was a devoted mother to one son from her first marriage, also called Rex.

Later in her career, Nancé worked as secretary to a host of senior editorial executives based at the Visiter offices, including former managing editor Ian Hargraves, former editorial director, the late George Cregeen and Alan Pinch.

Following her retirement in the late 1980s, she set about writing a book based on her journalistic experiences, but this was sadly to remain unfinished.

Ian Hargraves said: “I shall never forget the remarkable Nancé, who acted as my right hand lady, from mid-1972 until my return to Liverpool nearly six years later.

“She was a real joy to work with – always cheerful without being too chatty, invariably on hand when required to do any special job, and a brewer of the most superb cup of tea.

“How she managed to fit in the valuable task of calling on her handicapped son pretty well every day I cannot even guess, but she certainly did and helped to keep their liaison incredibly happy as well as busy.

“One thing is certain. None of those who knew Nancé as well as I did will ever forget her personality.’’